Beech Fork Dam dam
Beech Fork Dam
Beech Fork Dam, also known as Beech Fork Lake, is a vital piece of infrastructure in West Virginia that serves multiple purposes, including flood risk reduction, recreation, and fish and wildlife habitat. Constructed in 1976 by the US Army Corps of Engineers, this earth dam stands at a height of 86 feet and spans a length of 1080 feet. With a maximum storage capacity of 37,540 acre-feet and a surface area of 720 acres, Beech Fork Dam plays a crucial role in mitigating flood risks for downstream communities, such as Lavalette, Shoals, Westmoreland, and West Huntington.
Despite being classified with a high hazard potential, Beech Fork Dam has historically performed well in reducing the risk of flooding to surrounding areas. However, the dam's emergency action plan and risk management measures are continuously updated and improved to address potential threats, such as extreme rainfall events that could lead to overtopping and dam failure. USACE conducts regular inspections, maintenance activities, and risk assessment procedures to ensure the dam's structural integrity and operational readiness, while also collaborating with local emergency management entities to enhance emergency response actions in case of a worst-case scenario.
In conclusion, Beech Fork Dam remains a critical asset for water resource management in West Virginia, providing essential flood protection and recreational opportunities while also requiring ongoing monitoring and risk management efforts to safeguard nearby communities from potential hazards. Through diligent maintenance, inspection, and emergency preparedness, USACE continues to uphold the dam's safety and functionality, demonstrating a commitment to public safety and environmental stewardship in the face of changing climate conditions.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Beech Fork Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Symmes Creek At Aid Oh | 1,660 cfs | → |
| East Fork Twelvepole Creek Near Dunlow | 9 cfs | → |
| Ohio River At Ironton | 130,000 cfs | → |
| Hurricane Creek At Hurricane | 120 cfs | → |
| Little Sandy River At Grayson | 1,190 cfs | → |
| Coal River At Tornado | 416 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Beech Fork Dam.
Boat launches
- Symmes Creek Boat Ramp
- Indian Guyan Creek Access
- Bartram Branch Boat Ramp
- Village South Point
- Mudlick Branch Boat Ramp
- Lick Creek Boat Dock
Track Beech Fork Dam in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Beech Fork Dam
Where does the data for Beech Fork Dam come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the High hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Beech Fork Dam.